Welcome to Hyperion Records, an independent British classical label devoted to presenting high-quality recordings of music of all styles and from all periods from the twelfth century to the twenty-first.

Hyperion offers both CDs, and downloads in a number of formats. The site is also available in several languages.

Please use the dropdown buttons to set your preferred options, or use the checkbox to accept the defaults.

Don't show me this message again

Tres Villancicos

Recordings

'Full of rare delights … this well-recorded disc is highly recommendable' (BBC Music Magazine)'Fink is one of the best singers I’ve encountered in some time, and she goes a long way to making this recording the most enjoyable anthology of Spani ...» More

Pearl-bright shepherd boy, son of the dawn, where are you bound in such cold so early in the morning? Since you are the morning star of my dawn, to bring in the day you are the first to appear; shepherd and lamb, without hut or fleece, where are you bound in such cold so early in the morning?

With pearls in your eyes and laughter on your lips, pleasure and anger you bring to our souls; little shock of russet hair, scarlet mouth, where are you bound in such cold so early in the morning? What must you do, holy little shepherd, to rise so early? You let it be known, even though you go forth disguised to see our souls. Where are you bound in such cold so early in the morning?

English: Jacqueline Cockburn

To singers and their pianists, Rodrigo is probably best known for his Cuatro Madrigales Amatorias—four songs that demonstrate well his ability to inject old melodies with a pleasing dash of modernity. His Tres villancicos of 1951 make similar play with a traditional theme, the noel or Christmas song. Pastorcito santo sets a charming poem by Lope de Vega (1562–1635), rescuing its gentle rocking rhythm from monotony with an occasional irregular 5/8 bar.

If the palm tree knew that for the Child in its fair cradle a star had fallen from on high, it would spread its fan to rock the Child. Down the mountainside how happily the shepherd boy rides, mounted on his little donkey! Hurry, for the Child awaits you and Christmas Eve will soon be over! In Bethlehem the Virgin pure prays to the waiting Child. The Virgin Mary sings, the Child smiled at her. How sad the palm tree stands! If the palm tree knew what was nigh …

English: Jacqueline Cockburn

To singers and their pianists, Rodrigo is probably best known for his Cuatro Madrigales Amatorias—four songs that demonstrate well his ability to inject old melodies with a pleasing dash of modernity. His Tres villancicos of 1951 make similar play with a traditional theme, the noel or Christmas song. Coplillas de Belén is about as far as one could get from English notions of a Christmas carol. The poem is by Rodrigo’s wife Victoria Kamhi, and is treated to a wonderfully deft accompaniment in alternating bars of 3/4 and 6/8 rhythms.